Recent experiments have provided more grounds for optimism regarding the development of effective forms of direct social work practice. This review updates the field concerning experiments that have been conducted subsequent to prior reviews. Twelve research studies published between July 1, 1978, and June 30, 1983, are examined. (Author)

Identifies and discusses four issues that arise in process of collaborative research conducted by practitioners and researchers: issues of practice, design, measurement, and team development. Includes case example of practitioner and research collaboration to evaluate single-session groups for families of psychiatric inpatients to illustrate…

Presents overview of research about mental illness and criminality. Notes methodological problems. Discusses general conclusions that psychiatric patients tended to get arrested at higher rate; factors associated with offenses by mentally ill people were same as those associated with offenses by general public; there was no uniform rate of…

A critical analysis of a research report which appeared in an earlier journal. A rebuttal by the authors of the original article is also included. (HMV)

Despite the profession's code of ethics that opposes discrimination because of sex, the knowledge base on which social work is built is permeated by bias. In this review of the literature, the author identifies trends that illustrate this dilemma. (Author)

Comments on Reid and Hanrahan's article ("Recent Evaluations of Social Work: Grounds for Optimism," July 1982) reviewing social work research. Four authors discuss and evaluate the validity of the conclusions reached and the methodology needed for social work research. A reply by Reid and Hanrahan is included. (JAC)